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CAREER DESCRIPTION
PROCUREMENT BUYER
In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following dates:
Effective July 1, 2022 – 3.5% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Procurement Buyer/Trainee positions throughout the County of Orange. Currently, the immediate vacancies are at OC Sheriff’s Department. As future vacancies occur throughout the County of Orange, candidates referred to the eligible list will be contacted. This list may also be used to fill positions at a lower level within this occupational series.
DEADLINE
This recruitment will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 11:59 P.M. (PST).
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
THEOPPORTUNITY
The County of Orange is seeking energetic, highly skilled individuals with procurement experience to fill immediate Procurement Buyer positions within various County agencies or departments. These positions perform buying assignments for County agencies, departments and districts. They review bids for correctness, price and acceptability of items with respect to specification. Determine vendors from who purchases will be made and issue purchase orders. Generate contracts or agreements for commodities and services that require competitive bidding. Follow up with departments and vendors to evaluate vendor or commodity compliance and performance.
The Procurement Buyer is the journey level classification in the Procurement series. Incumbents in this class have authority for purchases up to the maximum limits set by law and County policy. This class is characterized by level of responsibility for the purchase of major and moderately complex lines of commodities and services. Moderately complex duties include: use of multi-department contracts, greater budget elements resulting in more administrative analysis. This class is distinguished from the Senior Procurement Buyer in that the latter works with a high degree of independence and is given a wide latitude in decision-making. Incumbents may report to an Administrative Manager or a Supervising Procurement Contract Specialist while day-to-day assignments may be assigned by a Senior Procurement Buyer or Procurement Contract Specialist. In the absence of the Senior Procurement Buyer or Procurement Contract Specialist, Procurement Buyer may serve in a lead capacity over Procurement Buyer Trainee.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess relevant education and/or buying experience. In addition to minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess the following competencies.
Technical Expertise
Ideal candidates have a comprehensive knowledge of contract law negotiation techniques, coordination and procedures for evaluating, monitoring and ensuring vendor performance. Are skilled in research, interpret and implement complex policies and procedures related to contract and procurement procedures. Have an understanding of purchasing and solicitation practices; identification and maintenance of local and national supply sources, and inventory standards and control. Qualified candidates are versed in quality control and value/cost analysis techniques and evaluating vendor capacity, capability and performance. Also, demonstrate thorough knowledge in electronic financial/procurement software systems operations and procedures.
Communication
Ideal candidates will develop and deliver effective written and verbal communication with various audiences, i.e. vendors, County Counsel, executive management, and other public entities. Candidates will create rapport and negotiate with vendors/department staff to correct or mitigate contract performance issues or conflicts. As well as, work collaboratively with cross functional teams to develop and maintain positive working relationships.
Problem Solving/ Decision Making
Ideal candidates utilize problem solving strategies in order to collect interpret and evaluate data and feedback to initiate and implement appropriate action and recommend solutions. These candidates also exercise independent judgment in the performance of procurement and contract procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR OC SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
A background check consisting of employment history, professional references, criminal check, traffic violations, drug use, credit problems, employment history, professional references and education verification (i.e. degree, license, and /or official transcripts) will be conducted. All applicants will be required to pass an extensive background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Candidates must not have been convicted of a felony or be on any form of probation. All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a thorough background investigation to the satisfaction of the Sheriff’s Department.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Applications will be screened to identify the most qualified candidates for the position based on the skills required to meet the needs of the County. After the initial screening, the qualified candidates will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.
Structured Oral Interview (SOI) (Weighted 100%): Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate’s rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate’s qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.
Based on the County’s needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
ELIGIBLE LIST
After all procedures have been completed, an eligible list of qualified candidates will be established.
Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and laws, regulations, and policies regarding COVID-19 are subject to change. The County of Orange is required to comply with all applicable State or County Public Health Orders, some of which require vaccination or testing as follows:
Workers, who provide services in certain Medical or High Risk Settings, will be required to provide proof of full vaccination from COVID-19 or to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
Workers, who provide services in certain Health Care Facilities or in a correctional facility or detention center where health care is provided, will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and boosted. (Workers may be exempt from this requirement based on religious beliefs or a qualifying medical reason; however, if exempted, they will be required to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing).
The position for which you are applying may be required to adhere to any applicable State or County Public Health Orders. You will receive notification of any requirement as it applies to a position.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Only online applications with completed supplemental questions will be accepted and evaluated. Resumes will not be accepted during the application process.
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.
NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with “governmentjobs.com” and “ocgov.com.” If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.
Questions?
For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Sophia Maciel at (714) 834-5198 or email [email protected].
EEO INFORMATION
Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Non-Management BenefitsIn addition to the County’s standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays-we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS). Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.http://www.ocers.org/active-member-informationClick here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.
